Setter Hannah Schwartz watches for the ball as the Oles set up for a kill. (Justine Bowe/TommieMedia)
Middle blocker Julia Spacek and defensive specialist Madie Koehler jump up and block the Oles from getting a point in the third set. The Tommies won the first two sets and lost the third 28-26. (Justine Bowe/TommieMedia)
Defensive specialist Madie Kroehler completes a kill, one of the 13 total she had against St. Olaf. Koehler led the Tommies with the most kills out of the team.(Justine Bowe/TommieMedia)
Defensive specialist Meghan Mazzola celebrates securing a point over the Oles. The Tommies won 3 to 1. (Justine Bowe/TommieMedia)
Opposite hitter Brooke Reichart hits the ball over the net to complete one of 11 kills she had. (Justine Bowe/TommieMedia)
Opposite Ellie Etzel follows the ball positioning herself for a kill. Etzel had 8 kills this game. (Justine Bowe/TommieMedia)
The seventeenth-ranked St. Thomas volleyball team extended its win streak to six and defeated St. Olaf Thursday at Schoenecker Arena to advance to the MIAC championship.
The Tommies (10-1 MIAC, 25-5 overall) took the first two sets 25-18 and 25-21. The Oles (7-4 MIAC, 22-11 overall) came back fighting to win the most-competitive third set 28-26. St. Thomas clinched its spot in Saturday’s championship in the fourth set, winning 25-23.
St. Thomas middle hitters Julia Spacek and Whitney Lloyd and outside hitter Brooke Reichart had a total of 31 kills and 16 blocks.
“In the end we did a good job of trusting all of our hitters. When we get too predictable they start digging it up, so I think our setters did a great job of doing that,” defensive specialist Madie Kroehler said.
Kroehler had 13 kills, 19 digs and two aces for the Tommies.
The energy in Schoenecker Arena was high as both teams packed the stands fighting for a spot in the conference title game.
“The home court advantage helps. Everyone played well and was really scrappy and never gave up,” Spacek said. “Staying composed and consistent against other teams and playing our game will help us in the next games.”
The Tommies won their sixth-straight game in a row Thursday.
“The tightness of the group is truly special. From our stud to our 25th player, they all buy in and are all pulling for one goal,” St. Thomas coach Thanh Pham said.
The Tommies (25-5) will take on the Bennies (18-8) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Schoenecker Arena.
“At this time of year all the teams are good; every team is fighting to stay alive. The play of volleyball is a different creature,” Pham said.
Justine Bowe can be reached at bowe6524@stthomas.edu.